RN Director of Nursing Psychiatric Services
- BLS
- NRP
How this pay compares
This posting states $56.89–$98.36 an hour. Open director of nursing jobs in Maryland post a median of $77.63 an hour, the middle half $68.19–$82.30, across 7 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post. Directors of nursing employed in Maryland earn a median of $63.37 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
Directors of nursing in Maryland: pay by town and employer
The Registered Nurses & LPNs job market: pay, applicant demand and hiring, researched nightly
What Maryland law says about nurse staffing and overtime
- Nurse staffing committee or plan: Maryland's Safe Staffing Act of 2026 requires each licensed hospital to establish a clinical staffing committee and implement a clinical staffing plan. Md. Code, Health-General §§ 19-393 to 19-397 (Chapter 235 of 2026, SB 411) (source: Md. Code, Health-General §§ 19-393 to 19-397 (Chapter 235 of 2026, SB 411))
- Limits on mandatory overtime: Employers may not require nurses to work beyond scheduled hours, except in a narrow unforeseeable emergency, for on-call rotation or in community-based care (covers licensed practical nurses and registered nurses). Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-421 (source: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-421)
Registered nurse and LPN jobs in our research
- How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 28.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 80.7%
- Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 0.45x · Clicks 136
- How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 54.8% · Stating an hourly rate 34.1%
From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 11 Nov 2026. Every figure for Registered nurse and LPN jobs
About the job
About the Job
Director of Nursing, Psychiatry (Nurse Manager) Job Overview
The Nurse Manager (Director of Nursing) is a member of MedStar Health entity-based Division of Nursing's (DON) leadership/management team and is responsible for the adult inpatient psychiatric unit, child and adolescent psychiatric unit and psychiatric ED unit of organized nursing and patient care services.
Adult Inpatient Unit Highlights
29-bed acute adult inpatient psychiatry
Evidenced-based mental health treatment
Hospital-based Protection Services (Security) Department
Experienced leadership
Opportunity to be engaged with change management
High Reliability Organization with a Just Culture/Culture of Safety
Supportive environment
Psych Crisis Stabilization Unit Highlights
10-bed busy specialized psychiatric emergency unit, located within the main medical ED
Treats pediatric and adult patients
Security has a strong partnership and presence with the unit and Baltimore County officer stationed with the Main ED
Staffed with psychiatric counselors and RNs
Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit Highlights
11 bed unit serving 11-17 year-olds
Staffed with RNs and psychiatric counselors
Heavily based on family therapy
Highly functional and autonomous team
General Summary of Position
The Director of Nursing is a member of MedStar Health entity-based Division of Nursing's (DON) leadership/management team and is responsible for one or more defined units/departments of organized nursing and patient care services. Creates a practice environment that exemplifies the values of patient care and implements a patient and nursing care delivery system which puts the patient first. Recognized as a professional role model who promotes an environment that supports the goals mission vision philosophy and values of the Division of Nursing and MedStar Health. Facilitates the cost-effective utilization of available resources (human material and financial) and ensures a high level of quality of care that is consistent with established standards of nursing practice for the patient populations served. The Director of Nursing assumes 24-hour administrative and leadership authority and responsibility for the management and direction of the operational personnel and financial activities of the specified units/departments. Directs and coordinates the activities of professional and support personnel within the assigned areas. Coordinates these functions in partnership with the nursing leadership team Medical Staff and leaders of other departments/disciplines and ensures they are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and MedStar Health and entity's mission vision and values.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Creates a professional practice atmosphere and an environment of mentoring and professional development that supports shared/collaborative governance and a high level of associates' satisfaction as evidenced by outcomes data.
- Builds trusting and collaborative relationships with members of the inter-professional health care team and leaders of other departments. Creates an environment that values opinion sharing utilizes shared decision-making and enhances associates' engagement and retention.
- Establishes and maintains a therapeutic and safe environment of care delivery that supports the framework of professional nursing practice based on evidenced and to achieve optimum patient care outcomes. Demonstrates responsibility for fiscal planning and management of the unit-based budget. Engages in ongoing productivity monitoring adherence to prescribed annual budget and assurance of adequate availability of personnel and other necessary resources to support the delivery of safe patient care and realization of departmental goals.
- Provides clinical leadership through role modeling professional practice behaviors and maintaining role accountabilities at the level of the associates. Integrates ethical standards and SPIRIT values into everyday activities. Supports the achievement of Magnet Recognition or Pathways to Excellence programs as determined by the Entity Chief Nursing Officer and/or Senior Director of Nursing.
- Serves as a change agent assisting others in understanding the importance necessity impact and process of change. Collaborates with the Senior Nursing Leadership Team to seek and utilize information to develop implement and manage a budget which supports organizational objectives patient care standards safety high reliability and quality of care.
- Hires evaluates coaches mentors promotes counsels disciplines and when necessary terminates associates to achieve behaviors aligned with MedStar's vision mission and values. Develops associates based on their strengths and professional advancement needs. Utilizes approaches and strategies that support the retention engagement and recruitment of associates; optimize patient care outcomes; and sustain the interdisciplinary model of care (IMOC) and its related standards of excellence.
- Develops implements and evaluates departmental goals that support the nursing strategic plan in collaboration with the nursing leadership team and other personnel within the department. Delegates certain activities to others within the unit/department as appropriate.
- Monitors and analyzes departmental performance data (e.g. nursing sensitive measures) and identifies and participates in performance improvement opportunities. Ensures compliance with unit divisional hospital/facility policies and procedures and governmental and accreditation regulations. Takes corrective action when deficiencies occur.
- Creates and supports a patient-centered care environment that fosters optimal patient experience as demonstrated by outcomes data. Communicates with patients' families and significant others and acts as resource for associates in dealing with patient/family issues. Investigates and follows through on customer complaints and concerns.
- Ensures that adequate materials supplies and equipment are available in support of optimal care delivery and that cost containment efforts are implemented. Communicates new material and supply needs to materials/supply chain leaders. Participates or engages associates as appropriate in product and equipment selection.
- Oversees the development of unit specific orientation preceptor programs and competencies for all personnel within the department. Collaborates with nursing professional development practice innovation and informatics and supports the implementation of new programs. Helps design educational and competency assessment programs to ensure the highest quality care delivery and customer engagement. Provides associates with timely constructive feedback on performance.
- Develops standards of performance evaluates performance of associates and conducts performance management planning. Identifies individual development needs and provides appropriate resources to meet needs. Initiates or makes recommendations for personnel actions. Maintains ongoing communication with associates to review programs provide feedback discuss new developments and exchange information.
- Engages in unit/department-based activities that enhance cost containment facilitate capacity management and patient flow/throughput and promote efficient care delivery systems. Actively participates in efforts to reduce patient length of stay by collaborating with medical providers and other disciplines to facilitate timely discharge planning.
- Participates in hospital/entity or system committees task forces interdisciplinary forums and projects (e.g. serious safety event reviews and performance improvement teams) at the request of Senior Nursing Leadership Team. Promotes a public image of professional nursing excellence and represents the hospital in community outreach efforts as appropriate.
- Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the fields of nursing and health care through a variety of professional activities including but not limited to reading the appropriate literature attending related seminars and conferences and maintaining membership in professional nursing associations. Demonstrates accountability for own professional development and advancement.
- Assumes administrative responsibilities in absence of the Senior Director of Nursing and provides coverage for other colleagues.
- Maintains the ability to provide direct care for a caseload of patients as required.
Minimal Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a Nationally accredited program required and
- Master's degree in Nursing or health related field from a Nationally accredited program preferred
Experience
- 3-4 years of nursing experience required and
- 1-2 years 2 years of management and leadership experience preferred
Licenses and Certifications
- RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the State of Maryland or District of Columbia - jurisdiction dependent on the entity of employment Upon Hire required and
- Specialty certification from a nationally recognized nursing organization in either a clinical specialty or Nursing Administration preferred or must be obtained within two years of hire. within 2 years required and
- RNC-OB C- Electronic Fetal Mon Perinatal nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) must obtain certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) within 12 months from date of hire. New graduate nurses or new to specialty nurses (labor and delivery antepartum antenatal testing) will have 15 months from date of hire to obtain the EFM certification. required
- CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required and
- Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to exercise independent judgment on highly complex situations.
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Basic knowledge of various computer software applications and online learning applications especially Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
This position has a hiring range of
USD $56.89 - USD $98.36 /Hr.
From MedStar Health's job posting, checked 13 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About MedStar Health
MedStar Health hires nurses, therapists and imaging techs in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia.
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